Vending apparatus or the like



Dec. 28, 1937. G J; C H LD 2 2,103,391

VENDING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE FiledDec. 8, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1lNVENTOR I ATTORNEYS G. J. SCOFIELD VENDING APPARATUS OR THE LIKE FiledDec. s, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS 1937- Q G. J. SCOFIELD VENDINGmmmmvus on THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 8, 1955 9 INVENTORfiiger [Scqfeid ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1937. 5. J. SCOFIELD VENDINGAPPARATUS OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 8, 1953 (Lt, $5M

ATTORNEYS m w 0/ w. mS T W4 7 6 w y Patented Dec. 28,: 1937 UNITED"STATES PATENT OFFICE Gilbert J. Scofield, Loudonville, N. Y.

Application December 8, 1933, Serial No. 701,411

10 Claims.

. This invention. relates to vending apparatus or the like. Y

One of the objects of this invention is to provide vending apparatuswhich will be strong, durable and attractive in appearance. Anotherobject is to provide apparatus of the above characterwhichwillbeinexpensive to manufacture with a minimum amount of labor. Anotherobject isto provide apparatus of the. above character which will bereliable and eflicient in operation. Another objectis to provideapparatus of the above character whose operation will be simple andfoolproof. Another object is toprovide apparatus of the above characterwherein the articles to be sold may be. effectively and attractivelydisplayed without interfering with the reliable operation of theapparatus. 1 Another object is toprovide apparatus of the abovecharacter which may be refilled easily and'which will hold a suflicientnumber of saleable articles to avoid refilling frequently. Anotherobject. is to provide apparatus of the above character which may beeasily operated and yet amply safeguard against various fraudulentprocesses for removingthe articles without depositing the proper sum ofmoney. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above characterwhich will detact and be unresponsiveto the application of counterfeitcoins or the like. Other objects will be in part obvious and in partpointed out hereinafter. r

, {I he invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified r in the structure to be hereinafter described, and

the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the variouspossible embodiments of this invention, I

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my apparatus ready for use; a

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the Figure 5 is a fragmentaryVertical sectional View, on an enlargedscala' taken along the line 5- 5of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on-Iine6-6 of Fig. '7, and showing on an enlarged scale certain of the partsshown in the lower right-hand portion of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a. fragmentary vertical sectional view of a portion of myapparatus, certain of the 1 Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view,taken along the line I l-H of Figure 4.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings. r

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in Figure 1 acasing generally indicated at Ill which maybe formed from sheet metal orthe like and the greater portion of whose periphery is substantiallyoctagonal in shape as better shown in Figure 2. Fitting over the top ofcasing I0 is a cover ll preferably flanged over the sides of the casingand suitably secured thereto in any convenient manner. As better shownin Figure 2, the portion Illa of easing Ill extends outwardly from thegeneral octagonal shape of the casing to allow sufiicient space forapparatus to be described in detail hereinafter.

The upper front portion of casing has an opening formed therein coveredby a door generally indicated at I2 (Figure 1), this door preferablycomprising a frame 13 carrying-any suitable transparent material M, as,for example, glass. Thus the left-hand side of this opening (Figure 2)is bordered by an outwardly projecting flange portion lb of casing Illto which is door may be locked in its closed position. Cas 7 ing I0 isalso provided with an opening l8 preferably located below door 12 andconnected with a passageway generally indicated at H! to be more fullydescribed hereinafter.

A cylindrical shell 20 is disposed within the upper portion of casing l0and suitably secured thereto. ,Fitted within shell 20 and securedthereto are a series of regularly spaced horizontal shelves 2|, 22 and23 (Figure 3) preferably having peripheral right angle flanges 24, 25and 26 formed thereon. Integrally formed with shelves 2|, 22 and 23 arecollar portions thereof 2|a, 22a and 2301., these collar portions beingin substantial alinement and preferably having their centers located atthe center of cylindrical shell 20. As best shown in Figure 3, casing Iis provided with a bottom plate 21 secured thereto and having integrallyformed therewith a socket portion 28 in alinement with collar portion2|a. A bar 29 is fitted within socket portion 28 and extends throughcollar portions 2|a, 22a, and 23a being fixedly secured in this positionpreferably by pins 30 extending into the collar'portions'and socket 28.

Rotatably mounted upon bar 29 and resting upon the top bearing surfacesof collar portions 2|a, 22a and 2311. are three hub portions 3|, 32 and33 (Figure 3). Each hub portion is provided witha plurality of radiallyprojecting circumferentially spaced partitions generally indicated at 34and 34a. Partitions 34 and 340. are preferably of a length equal to theradius of cylindrical shell 20 so that upon rotation of the hubportions, they revolve about the shelves. Furthermore the width ofpartitions 34 and 34a is preferably equal to the space between each ofshelves 2|, 22 and 23 so that in effect they provide a series ofindividual compartments between each of the shelves.

Housed within hub portions 3|, 32 and 33 are coil springs 35, 36 and 31each having one end secured to bar 29 and the other end thereof securedto the hub portion. Accordingly these springs tend to force the hubportions and consequently partitions 34 and 34a to rotate in a clockwisedirection about bar 29. Suitably disposed between each of partitions 34and 3401. are a series of substantially circular walls generallyindicated at 38 as best shown in Figures 2 and 3. As more clearly shownin Figure 2, shelves 2|, 22 and 23 have registering openings generallyindicated at 39 formed therein, openings 39 being substantially the sizeof one of the compartments formed by walls 38 and partitions 34 andlocated as indicated in Figure 2. Openings 39 are also disposedimmediately above passageway |9. Accordingly when articles are placed onshelves 2|, 22 and 23 in the above-mentioned compartments, it will beseen that rotation of partitions 34 moves the articles along the shelvespast window I 4* in door |2 (Figure 1) and finally to openings 39 wherethe articles drop through to passageway |9 thus becoming accessible tothe operator of my apparatus by way of opening l8. By controlling theindividual rotation of each of hubs 3|, 32 and 33, I am thus able tocontrol the dispensing of articles located on each individual shelf andalso to display these articles as they pass by window I4.

Partitions 34 and 34a may be of any suitable number according to thearticles to be sold by my apparatus. As here shown, partitions 34 arefour in number while partitions 340. are eight'in number. Thuspartitions 34 provide three compartments on shelves 2| and 22, whilepartitions 34a provide six compartments on shelf 23. Larger articles maybe placed upon the lower shelf and it is preferable to locate the hubscarrying the greater number of partitions (in this particular instancehub 33) above the hubs carrying the smaller number of partitions so thatthe articles from the upper shelf or shelves will fall naturally throughthe openings provided in each shelf and thence into passageway I9.Various combinations of numbers for the partitions 34 and 34a may beworked out. For example, the lower groups of partitions may be six innumber and the upper twelve, providing five compartments below and tenabove.

Still referring to Figure 3, there is suitably secured to bottom plate2'! a bracket-like socket part 40 into which one end of a rod 4| isfitted and secured by a pin 42. The upper end of rod 4| is secured to arecessed portion 43 of a brace 44 by a pin 45. Brace 44 is in turnsecured to the upper end of bar 29 preferably by way of a pin 46.

Thus rod 4| is rigidly secured in position preferably in the vicinity ofportion Ina. of casing l0. Three frame parts generally indicated at 41,48 and 49 are fixedly secured to rod 4| preferably by pins 59 in spacedrelationship and substantially opposite shelves 2|, 22 and 23. Rotatablymounted on rod 4| between frame parts 41, 48 and 49 respectively and ontop of frame part 49 are three escapement levers generally indicated at52 and 53.

Referring now to Figure 4, a stop 54 for limiting the counter-clockwisemovement of escapement lever 52 is provided and is preferably anintegral portion of frame part 48 extending upwardly and rearwardlytherefrom as viewed in Figure 3. Similarly, a stop 55 is provided forlimiting the clockwise movement of escapement lever 52 also preferablyan integral portion of frame part 48. A right angle bracket portion 56of frame part 48 extends upwardly therefom, as viewed in Figure 3, and atension spring 51 is secured thereto and to escapement lever 52. Thusspring 51 holds escapement lever 52 against stop 55 and any movement ofthe lever in a counterclockwise direction must be accomplished againstthe action of this spring. As better shown in Figure 3, frame parts 41and 49 are also provided with stops 58 and 59 substantially similar inconstruction to stop 54 (Figure 4) as well as stops 60 and 6|substantially similar in shape and construction to stop 55. Also formedupon frame parts 41 and 49 are right angle projecting portions 62 and 63and springs 64 and 65 are secured to these portions as well asescapement levers 5| and 53 respectively.

As the details of construction and relative positions of escapementlevers 5|, 52 and 53 are substantially similar, that of escapement lever52 only will be described in detail. Turning now to Figure 4, formed onthe end of escapement lever 52 is a projection 66 which is so shaped andpositioned thereon that it lies in the path of one group of partitions34 (Figure 2) when the lever abuts against stop 55. Furthermore,projection 66 is so located that when one of partitions 34 abutsthereagainst, the partitions assume the position shown in Figure 2,wherein one of the compartments formed thereby and by walls 38 is infront of window 4 (Figure 1) and another of the compartments is locatedimmediately above openings 39 (Figure 2). Projection 66 is also shapedto permit the passage of these partitions 34 thereby when escapementlever 52 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction and abuts againststop 54. Another projection 61 is so formed on escapement lever 52 as tobe out of the path of these partitions 34 when the lever abuts againststop 55 and in the path thereof to abut thereagainst when lever 52 is insubstantial engagement with stop 54.

As more clearly shown in Figure 2, it will now be seen that lever 52acts to prevent rotation of these partitions 34 and consequently anyrotation of hub portion 32 by spring 36 (Figure 3) when in'its normalposition against stop 55 (Figure 4). However, when escapementlever 52 ismoved to substantially engage stop 54, these partitions 34 connected tohub portion 32 are free to rotate about shelf 22 (Figure 3) in responseto the action of spring 36'unti1 the next succeeding partition abutsagainst projection 61;, The partitions remain in this position until theescapement lever 52 is released and snapped back against stop 55 byspring 5'! to, allow the next partition 34 to move on and abut againstprojection 55.. Escapernent levers 58, 52 and 53 are preferably providedwith enlarged faces 68, 69 and 10. Accordingly, it will now become clearthat when articles are placed in each of the compartments on the shelves2!, 22 and 23 andhub portions 3!, 32 and 33 are positioned to allowsprings 55, 35 and 31 to exert rotatable tension thereon, the movementof the partitions 34 and Mo on each of the shelves for a distancesubstantially equal to the circumferential length of one of thecompartments formed by the partitions and the wall 38 (Figure 2) can beeffectively controlled by the actuation of levers 5!, 52 and 53.

A frame part generally indicated at H (Figures 3 and 11) is secured torod 4| above escapement lever 53 and is provided with cup-like portions12, and 12a (Figure 11'). Cylindrical portions l3, M and 15 of frameparts ,41, 48 and 49 are in substantial registry with cup-like portions'72 (Figure 11) to form a continuous passageway closed at its upper endby cup-like portions 12 and in the path of the pivotal movement ofescapement levers 51, 52 and 53 (Figure 4) Cylindrical portions Ma and15a of frame parts 48 and 59 are in substantial registry with cup-likeportionslZa, and frame part 4! has formed thereon a cup-like portion53a, all to form a continuous passageway closed at-its upper and lowerends.

Thus, as best shown inFigure 4, this lastmentioned continuous passagewayformed by cup-like portions 72a and 13a and cylindrical portions 'Mwand15a is also in the path ofpivotal movement of escapement levers 5|, 52and 53. A housing part 15 is secured to 'rod 4! preferably by way of apin H and has mounted therein a plunger generally indicated at 18 insubstantial registry with the bottom of the opening in cylindricalportion 13 (Figure 6). Resting upon plunger 78 and substantially fillingthe passageway formed by cylindrical portions l3, l4 and 15 as well ascup-like portions l2 are a plurality of balls generally-indicated at 19.

shown in Figure 11.

Disposed within the passageway formed by cuplike portions 12a, and 13aand cylindrical portions 14a and 150, are a plurality of balls generallyindicated at 119a resting one upon the other and filling a large portion.of this passageway as The upp rmost of balls 19a, as viewed in Figure11,'is substantially spaced from the top of cup-like portion 12a, thisdistance being substantially equal to the vertical thickness ofescapement levers 5!, 52 and 53 as viewed in Figure 11. Accordingly asbest shown in Figure 11 the pivotal movement of the escapement levers toallow the movement of partitions 34 and 34a, as described above, islimited by balls "l9 and 19a (Figure 4) so that this action cannottranspire until the balls are' displaced in both passageways.

like portion 12a and by the downward movement of plunger 18 tobedescribed more fullyplunger 18 as viewed in Figure 5. Escapementlevers 5| and 53 are also provided with cam surfaces BI and 9respectively, similar to cam surface 80. Accordingly when balls 19 areprevented from downward movement, as viewed in Figure 5, by plunger 18(Figure 6), escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 are prevented from pivotingabout rod 4| sufficiently to allow movement of the projections 66(Figure 4) out of the path of partitions 34 and 34a. Only when suchmovement is possible can the levers be operated to allow movement ofpartitions 34 and 34a as above described.

Cam surfaces 9a, a and 8! a are also formed on levers 5|, 52 and 53respectively. Balls 19a are in the path of these cam surfaces uponpivotal movement of escapement levers 5!, 52 and 53 as described above.Furthermore, cam surfaces 9a, 80a and Ma slope in an opposite direc-'tion from cam surfaces 9, 8i) and Bi; thus move ment of any ofescapement levers 5!, 52 and 53 forces the balls thereabove in an upwarddirection toward the top of cup-like portion 120,. Furthermore, balls19a are so positioned with respect to balls 79 and the axes ofescapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 that the escapement levers must passsubstantially through'balls 19a before cam surfaces 9, 8B or 8| canengage balls 13. Accordingly if balls 19a are locked in position againstvertical movement it will be seen that none of the escapement levers maybe operated to allow rotation of any of partitions 34 or 34a. Referringnow more particularly to Figures 3 and 6, a fitting generally indicatedat 82 is secured to rod 4| preferably by way of a collar 83 andsocket40. Secured to fitting 82 in any convenient manner is a casing generallyindicated at 84, thus being positioned immediately below housing part16. Thus a bar secured to plunger 18 extends through housing part 15 anddown into casing 84. The lower portion of bar 35 has formed therein anaperture 85 (Figure '7).

Disposed within. housing part 15 beneath plunger 18 is an expansionspring 9| forcing plunger 18 against balls 19 and consequently tendingto pull bar. 85 upwardly. Housing part 16 is of sufficient depth (Figure6) to allow plunger 18 to be depressed against the action of spring 9| asufiicient distance to allow any of escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 tomove against stops 58, 54 and 59. 'Thus when bar 85 is prevented fromany substantial downward movement from the position thereof shown inFigure 6, escapement levers 5H, 52 and 53 are held against effectiveactuation.

As more clearly shown in Figure 7, a lever part generally indicated at81 is rigidly secured to a pin member 88. Pin member 88 is rotatablymounted within casing 84 and preferably fitting 82 and has a right angleextension 88a to be described more fully hereinafter. has an enlargedportion 89 formed on one end thereof immediately adjacent that portionof bar 85 in which aperture 86 is located. Furthermore lever part 81 isso located with respect to aperture 86 that when it is in its depressedposition (the dotted line position shown'in Figure 7), por- Lever part81' tion 89 substantially covers aperture 86, but when it is in itsupper position (the full line position shown in Figure '1) aconsiderable portion of the aperture is left exposed by portion 89. Asuitable stop 93 secured to casing 84 is provided for preventing furtherpivotal movement of lever part 81 when it has reached its upperposition.

A recess 99 (Figure 6) is provided in casing 84 substantially oppositeaperture 86 when bar 85 is in its upper position (Figure 6). Restingupon portion 89 of lever part 81, as best shown in Figure 6, is a ball92 which extends through aperture 86 (Figure '7) and lies oppositerecess 98 when lever part 81 is in its upper position as shown in Figure6. Accordingly any substantial downward movement of bar 85 is preventedby the bar coming into engagement with the ball although a slight amountof play is preferably left therebetween for a purpose to be describedmore fully hereinafter. However, when lever part 81 is depressed to itslower position (Figure '7), portion 89 thereof forces ball 92 throughaperture 86 and into recess 98 a sufiicient distance to allow bar 85 tomove downwardly. As described above, the downward movement of bar 85unlocks escapement levers 5i, 52 and 53. Accordingly, it will now becomeclear that when lever part 81 (Figure 6) is in its upper position asbest shown in Figure 6, bar 85 is prevented from downward movement andconsequently the escapement levers cannot be effectively operated. Onthe other hand, when lever part 81 is in its depressed position as bestshown in Figure '7, bar 85 may move downwardly and consequently any ofescapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 may be actuated.

As pointed out above, when lever part 81 is in its depressed position toforce ball 92 into recess 98, bar 85 is free to move vertically and thusany one of escapement levers 5|, 52 and 53 may be pivoted against stops58, 54 and 59 (Figure 3) to make for the delivery of an article byallowing for the rotation of partitions 34 or 34a. When, for example,escapement lever 52 is moved throughout its pivotal path until itengages stop 54 (Figure 4) its cam surface 88a forces the ball 19athereabove up toward the top of cup-like portion 12a. Only afteraccomplishing this, is it moved a sufficient distance to unlockpartitions 34.

When in this position against stop 54, there is room for practically nofurther vertical movement of the balls 19a and consequently escapement1evers 53 and EI cannot be operated. Further still, when escapementlever 52 is released to be drawn back against stop 55 by spring 51,there may be a moment before ball 92 (Figure 6) returns to the positionshown in Figure 6 to lock bar against vertical movement as describedabove. During this time it might be possible to actuate eitherescapement lever 5i or escapement lever 53. However, after escapementlever 52 has been drawn out of the path of balls 19 (Figures 11 and 4)so that ball 92 (Figure 6) is free to roll back into its lockingposition, escapement levers 5| and 53 are still prevented from actuationby balls 19a because escapement lever 52 has not moved out of the pathof these balls, thus still holding them against any substantial verticalmovement. Accordingly I have provided an auxiliary locking means whicheffectively prevents any fraudulent manipulation of the escapementlevers. Of course'by the time escapement lever'52 has moved out of thepath of ball 19a, ball 92 has time to roll back into its lockingposition.

The right-hand portion of lever part 81, as viewed in Figure 7, isprovided with a shallow substantially vertical groove 94 immediatelyadjacent a recess 95 formed in casing 84. A ball 96 rests against leverpart 81 in groove 94 opposite recess 95. Thus, as best shown in Figure10, pivotal movement of lever part 81 in an upward or downwarddirection, as viewed in Figure 7, causes ball 96 to ride up into recess95 until the lever part reaches either its upper or depressed position.Accordingly ball 98 acts to resist any accidental tendency of lever part81 to pivot in an upward or downward direction without the assistance ofan outside impetus such as the dropping of a coin thereon as will bedescribed more fully hereinafter.

A rod IDI (Figure 3) is rotatably mounted within a series of collars 91,98, 99 and I88 preferably secured to an integral with frame pieces 41,48, 49 and H. Rod IIlI is seated within a socket I82 preferablyconnected to socket part 48. Rigidly secured to rod IilI are a series ofarms I83, I94, and I05. As more clearly shown in Figure 4, these armsextend inwardly into the path of partitions 34 and 34a so that thepassage of the partitions on any of shelves 2|, 22, and 23 by the armskicks them to impart partial rotation to rod IOI.

Turning now to Figure 9, the lower portion of rod I9I has a cam surfaceI96 formed thereon in engagement with a pin I81 fixed to socket I82. Apin i118 is secured to rod NH and extends through a suitable slot formedin socket I02 to engage extension 88a of pin member 88 (Figures 3 and6). Thus partial rotation of rod I9! induced by the movement of one ofpartitions 34 and 34a by arm I94 for example causes the rod to ride upon pin I81 to kick extension 88a in a counter-clockwise direction asviewed in Figure 7. Accordingly when lever part 81 is in its lowerposition so that extension 8811 is in substantial engagement with pinH18 and the escapement levers'5I, 52 and 53 are unlocked, as describedabove, the rotation of one of hubs 31, 32, and 33 (Figure 3) moves pinI98 to force lever part 81 to assume its upper position thereby lockingthe escapement levers against further actuation.

As best shown in Figures 6 and '1, casing 84 is provided with a troughshaped opening I09 so positioned that when coins are dropped thereinthey are directed onto lever part 81 to depress it as will be describedmore fully hereinafter. Casing 46 is provided with a suitable slot I if]for the reception or the coins to be used in actuating the apparatus andalso an opening I I I of any suitable construction for the return ofundesirable coins or the like. Leading from return opening III to aposition to the rear of trough shaped opening I89, as best shown inFigures 6 and 7, is a return passageway E E2. A sloping runway generallyindicated at I I9 connects slot I II1 with return passageway I I2 and aportion thereof to be described more fully hereinafter passes overtrough shaped opening I99.

Secured to casing 84 are a pair of spaced lugs IE4 and I I5 (Figure 7)rotatably mounted within which is a shaft H5. A pair of depending armsII1 and I I8 are preferably secured to shaft I I6 and support in turn atable portion I I9 (Figure 6) forming a part of runway H3. A spiralspring I29 encircles shaft llfi having one end in engagement with casing84 and the other end hooked QTI about arm HB. Thus springJZO- tends toforce arms H8 and II! in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figured Aprojecting arm portion I2I, as best shown in Figure 6, is connected totable H9 and extends through an opening in casing 84 to engage a camsurface stud I22 on bar 85. Thus reciprocation of bar 85 in turnreciprocates table H9 about shaft H6 as an axis by way of arm I2I.Table. H9 is provided with a flanged section IISa depending towardreturn passageway H2 and the table slopes in the direction thereof(Figure 6) to direct'coins or the like to the return passageway in amanner to be more fully described hereinafter. 1

As best shown in Figures 6 and 7,, a portion84a of casing 84 is cut awayand extends outwardly therefrom as viewed in Figure 6. The distancebetween'the top edge of the casing immediately above portion 84a and thetop of table I I9 is less than the diameter of the coin tobe used tooper ate my apparatus. Accordingly, if this coin is a nickel, upon beingdirected to table II9 it rests against the right-hand portion of casingv96 (Figure 6) and'is thus free to roll down table I I9 unimpeded. On theother hand, if the. diameter of the coin inserted in slot H9 isv smallerthan that of a nickel, the coin upon landing on table H9 falls back onportion 84a of the casing and is usually prevented from leaving tableII9 when it engages the edge of the casing adjacent the lower section ofportion 84a, as viewed in Figure '7. g I 9 Referring now to Figures 7.and 8, a depending portion I23 of casing 84 immediately above troughshaped. opening I09 has secured thereto a pair of spaced lugs I24 andI25 supporting a shaft I26. Pivotally supported by shaft I26 are a pairof'lugs I21 and I28 connected to a table I29, a portion I29a of which(Figure 8) forms -'a part of runway II3. Thus table I29 pivots aboutshaft I26 as an axis and a projecting'portion I29b thereof forms acounterweight against its pivotal movement in a counter-clockwisedirection as viewed in Figure 8. Table I29 is so counterweighted withrespect to itsdownward slope toward return passageway I I2 (Figure '7)that when a coin of proper weight is passing thereover on its coursefrom slot H0, the table pivots sufficiently to drop the coin in troughshaped opening I09, I

It will now becomeclear that if anyone attempts to operate my apparatusby inserting a coin which is. too light in slot III), the coinwill doeither one of three things. It may travel down 'runway I I3 but inpassing over table I29 it will not be heavy enough to pivot the tableabout its axis and will thus pass into'return passageway I I2. On theother hand, it may be so light (wherealong the end of arm I2I (Figure6); As pointed out above, this reciprocatestable H9 about its axis andthis reciprocation together with the slope of the table. (Figure 6)dumps'the light coin or the like over the edge thereof. where it isdirected by way of flange I I9a (Figure '7) down onto return passagewayH2,

If anyone attempts to insert a coin ill-slot, III! which is tooheavyrit; rushes down runway II3 and onto table I29. Dueto the extraweight in the coin or the like, table I29 pivots about its axis quicklyand dumps the coin off onto the return passageway beforeit has time totravel to a position over trough I99. Accordingly the only'coins or thelike which are directed to lever part9! by way of trough I99 are thoseof proper weight which pivot table I29 about its axis. Thus I haveprovided an extremely simple andeffective appa ratus for-detecting,coins of improper or counterfeit charactenwhile-making ample provisionthat gocdcgins reachthe lever part 81 to unlock the escapement leversasvdescribed above. Preferably lever part 81 is provided with a flangedplate I39 (Figures'? and 8) ,to catch the coins dropped through troughshaped opening 199.. a

In operation, the machine is firstloaded by opening door I2 and placingarticles in each of thecompartments while winding up the, hubs againstthe actionof springs 35, 36 and 31 (Figure 3) so thatshelves 2|.and'22contain three articles and shelf 23 contains six articles; one articleon .eachfshelf is exposed for View through Window, I4 (Figure 1).. Thedoor is then locked and the partitions 34. and 34a on each shelf arereliably held against rotation by escapement levers 5 I, 52 and 53. Aprospective purchaser may view the articles on each shelf and aftermaking a selectiom'he deposits a coin in slot Hi]. This coin,;if ofproper character, will actuate lever part 81. to unlock .all' of theescapementllevers, and, if of improper character, will return through.

return passageway IIZ all as described above.

The purchaser then presses the escapement lever oppositethe shelf. uponlwhichrests the article.

which he desires. Thus the partitions 34 and. 34av on this shelf areallowed torotate a distance equal to one of the cornpart'inents formedthereby andby; wall 39 (Figure 3) to carry the'article-which was exposedinfront of window I4 (Figure 1) to openings 39 where it drops intopassageway l9 and becomes accessible to the purchaser by way ofopeningIB. r

7 Accordingly it will be seen that I have provided vending apparatus bywhich the purchaser obtains the precise article which he has seenthrough window l4. Furthermore, ample provi-- sion is made for guardingagainst fraudulent use of the machine as the escapement levers can onlybe unlocked when a coin of proper character has been inserted'in slot IIll. The entire construction is simple in character, easy to manufactureand assemble, and'free from complicated manipulations inthe operationthereof. The operation of the escapement levers is so obvious that aprospective purchaser is not required to read detailed instructionsbeforefmaking his purchase, and, in fact, an individual of ordinaryintelligence usually guesses how to operate it without reading any'instructions.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a thoroughly practical andefiicient apparatus in which the several objects hereinabove mentionedas well, as many others are successfully accomplished. As many possibleembodiments may be made of ,theabove invention and as many changes mightbe made in the embodiment above set forth,

. it is tobe undertood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shownin the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as ill trative and notin a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a plurality of spaced horizontal shelves insaid enclosure, said shelves having registering openings formed therein,means for conveying articles which have passed through said openings toan opening in said enclosure, radially extending partitions disposedbetween each adjacent pair of said shelves and adapted to rotate aboutan axis, said partitions dividing the space between each of said shelvesinto a series of substantially individual compartments, resilient meansadapted to rotate said partitions about said axis, and hand operableescapement means for permitting partial rotation of said partitionsbetween pairs of said shelves independently of each other and stoppingsaid partitions so that one of said compartments formed thereby isalways in registry with said openings.

2. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a plurality of spaced horizontal shelves insaid enclosure, said shelves having registering openings formed therein,means for conveying articles which have passed through said openings toan opening in said enclosure, radially extending partitions disposedbetween each of said shelves and adapted to rotate about an axis, saidpartitions dividing the space between each adjacent pair of said shelvesinto a series of substantially individual compartments, resilient meansadapted to rotate said partitions about said axis, and escapement meansfor permitting partial rotation of said partitions between pairs of saidshelves independently of each other and stopping said partitions so thatone of said compartments formed thereby is always in registry with saidopenings.

3. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a

shaft in said enclosure, a plurality of spaced article supportingshelves secured to said shaft and having registering openings formedtherein, rotatable compartment forming partitions associated with eachof said shelves, and means for moving said partitions over said shelvesto sweep articles disposed thereon into said openings.

4. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a shaft in said enclosure, a plurality ofspaced article supporting shelves secured to said shaft and havingregistering openings formed therein, rotatable compartment formingpartitions associated with each of said shelves, means for moving saidpartitions over said shelves to' sweep articles disposed thereon intosaid openings, and escapement means associated with said partitions andoperable to permit rotation thereof.

5. In apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a shaft in said enclosure, a plurality ofspaced article supporting shelves secured to said shaft and havingregistering openings formed therein, rotatable compartment formingpartitions associated with each of said shelves, and spring meansassociated with said shaft for moving said partitions over said shelvesto sweep articles disposed thereon into said openings.

6. An apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a shaft fixedly disposed in said enclosure, apair of shelves secured to said shaft, a hub disposed between saidshelves and about said shaft, a spring having one of its ends secured tosaid shaft and its other end secured to said hub, a plurality ofpartition members secured to said hub and lying between said shelves,said partition members and said hub forming a rotatable unit comprisinga plurality of compartments with said shelf, said spring adapted toimpart rotation to the unit to cause said partitions to sweep over oneof said shelves, and means for controlling rotation of said unit in itsspring imparted direction of rotation.

7. An apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a fixed shaft disposed in said enclosure, aplurality of shelves secured to said shaft, a plurality of units eachbeing disposed between adjacent pairs of shelves and rotatablyassociated with said shaft, each unit comprising a plurality ofpartition members forming compartments between adjacent shelves, meansassociated with said shaft and said units for effecting rotation of saidunits in one direction, said units being rotatable in another directionto store energy in said means, and means for controlling rotation ofsaid units in said first mentioned direction of rotation.

8. An'apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a fixed shaft disposed in said enclosure, aplurality of shelves secured to said shaft, a plurality of units eachbeing disposed between adjacent pairs of shelves and rotatablyassociated with said shaft, each unit comprising a plurality ofpartition members forming compartments between adjacent shelves, meansassociated with said shaft and said units for effecting rotation ofsaidunits in one direction, and a manually operable escapement leveroperatively associated with the partitions of each of said units.

9. An apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure, a plurality of spaced horizontal shelves insaid enclosure, said shelves' having registering openings formedtherein, means for conveying articles which have passed through saidopenings to an opening in said enclosure, radially extending partitionsdisposed between each adjacent pair of said shelves and adapted torotate about an axis, said partitions dividing the space between each ofsaid shelves into a series of substantially indi vidual compartments,resilient means adapted to rotate said partitions about said axis, andmanually operable escapement means including a plurality of actuatinglevers individually operable for permitting partial rotation of saidpartitions between pairs of said shelves independently of each other andstopping said partitions so that one of said compartments formed therebyis always in registry with said openings.

10. An apparatus of the general nature of that herein described, incombination, an enclosure,

a plurality of shelves horizontally disposed in said enclosure andfixedly secured thereto, a plurality of partition members disposedbetween each adjacent pair of shelves, each adjacent pair of partitionmembers forming a compartment, said shelves having registering openingsformed therein, and means for moving said partitions over said shelvesto sweep articles disposed thereon into said openings.

GILBERT J. SCOFIELD.

